2001/02/01 by ERICA R. FREEMAN, David A. Bloom, Edward J. McGuire · 2 citations
Medicine · #Historical Medical Research and Treatments #Hormonal and reproductive studies #Internal medicine #Medicine #Organ and Tissue Transplantation Research #Testosterone (patch)
paper · doi:10.1097/00005392-200102000-00004
openalex publication_date 2001/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
PURPOSE: We explore the history of testosterone in the context of medical and scientific developments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the scientific and historical literature was conducted. RESULTS: The origins and effects of testosterone have been recognized throughout the history of humankind. Hunter performed testicular transplantation experiments in 1767 while studying tissue transplantation techniques, and almost a century later Berthold linked the physiological and behavioral changes of castration to a substance secreted by the testes. Brown-Séquard gave birth to the field of organotherapy in 1889 when he announced that his auto-injection of testicular extracts resulted in rejuvenated physical and mental abilities. Steinach and Niehans expanded upon Brown-Séquard's work with rejuvenation treatments involving vasoligation, tissue grafts and cellular injections. In 1935 David et al isolated the critical ingredient in organotherapeutic treatments, testosterone. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of the powerful hormone testosterone continue to inspire research and controversy 65 years later.